A cloud of mystery hangs over Venezuela after US President Donald Trump announced an attack on a “docking facility” used by drug trafficking boats. The alleged strike, which Trump claimed destroyed the area where drugs were loaded, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing US campaign against drug cartels in Latin America. Interestingly, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has neither confirmed nor denied the incident directly. Instead, when pressed, he hinted that “this could be something we talk about in a few days.”
Despite the ambiguity surrounding the alleged attack and weeks of intense American military pressure, Maduro expressed a surprising openness to dialogue. “Wherever they want and whenever they want,” he stated, offering to cooperate with Washington on critical issues like drug trafficking, oil, and migration. This comes amidst a backdrop of increasing US sanctions, airspace closures, and accusations from the Trump administration that Maduro himself leads a drug cartel – a charge Maduro vehemently denies, claiming the US seeks to overthrow him for Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Rumors about the strike’s location even saw Colombian President Gustavo Petro speculate about a “factory in Maracaibo” being bombed, a claim quickly debunked by a local chemical company. Maduro admitted his last conversation with Trump was “cordial,” but added that since then, “the evolution has not been pleasant.” Still, his message is clear: “If they want to talk seriously about an agreement to fight drug trafficking, we are ready.” It’s a complex diplomatic dance, with calls for cooperation emerging even as military actions and political tensions continue to escalate in the region, raising questions about the legality and evidence behind some US operations.
Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/news/maduro-elusive-us-attack-open-dialogue-4071301
